"Oystermen do not carry modern arms," Joshua Barney said curtly. "Go exactly as if you were performing your regular work, as indeed you are, except that the price received for your wares does not cut any figure."
CHAPTER VI.
FEEDING THE ENEMY.
It was evident that Commodore Barney did not propose to spend any more minutes with us explaining the proposition he had made, and, indeed, it really was high time he attended to others, for no less than four gentlemen of importance in Nottingham had sent a request for an interview.
When the commander arose to his feet, after settling the question as to whether we should be prepared to defend ourselves in case the occasion required, I started up the companion-way stairs, beckoning for Jerry to follow.
Darius Thorpe, although he had been only a sailor, understood somewhat of manners among people of gentility, and he saluted properly—which we had forgotten to do—while awaiting an opportunity to ascend the stairs.
It was as if we no longer had an existence, so far as Commodore Barney was concerned. We were not yet out of the cabin when he called an orderly to say that he would see such or such a man immediately, and began turning over papers on his table without even glancing in our direction.
Once on board the Avenger I stopped to face my comrades, thinking that now has come the time we should discuss the matter which was of such vital importance to ourselves; but Darius said impatiently: